STUDIO CITY, Calif., Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Southern California Golf Association this month launched a Pace of Play Pledge, urging Southland golfers to change the culture that accepts slow play and play faster. Leading and serving amateur golf in Southern California, the SCGA hopes to use its platform to educate golfers with helpful tips that can often alleviate slow play. For a limited time, all who sign the pledge will receive a Pace of Play bag tag with helpful hints for their foursome.

"We hear too often how frustrated golfers are with lengthy rounds," said SCGA Executive Director Kevin Heaney. "With this pace of play program, we look forward to working with Southland golf courses and industry leaders to make golf more enjoyable for everyone involved with the game by gathering feedback and highlighting success stories."

Commonly known as a deterrent to the game of golf, pace of play was once again in the spotlight this week when Tiger Woods publically acknowledged a frustration with the pace of play at the Farmers Insurance Open. Among the tips being shared by the SCGA for faster play are:

Walk fast

Know where your group is in relation to the group in front of you

Get your yardage and be ready to play before it is your turn to play.

If someone isn't quite ready to play, another player should play before them

When any shot heads toward rough, a water hazard or trees, all players should watch closely as to where the ball lands

Read your putt before it is your turn to play

Recognize when someone will need the flagstick attended or your ball marked.

Place your golf bag or park your golf cart near the next teeing ground

For more information on the pledge, visit scga.org/pledge.

For more information on the SCGA, visit scga.org.

About the SCGA

The Southern California Golf Association, one of the nation's oldest and largest regional golf associations, has established itself as the trusted resource for Southland golfers, whether they are casual or devoted players.

In addition to providing a host of member services, including access and preferred pricing at some of the area's top courses, the SCGA administers the USGA Handicap System and conducts major amateur golf tournaments in the region.

Employing some of the most highly skilled golf administrators in the country, the SCGA provides its members with tools and insider information to enhance their enjoyment of the game – from updating Handicap Indexes to identifying new courses for them to play. The SCGA also provides news and information on issues affecting golfers, provides Rules of Golf education, measures courses and provides USGA Course and Slope Ratings, and sponsors education of youth through golf.